Tagged: Russia sanctions

OFAC & State Department Announce New Russia Sanctions, Targeting Military-Industrial Complex

Sam Finkelstein, Associate at The Volkov Law Group, rejoins us for a new posting on OFAC’s announcement of new sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex.  Sam can be reached at [email protected]. The United States is determined to ensure that no one profits off of Russia’s war against Ukraine. To that end, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has widened the...

Episode 271 — A Deep Dive into the Microsoft OFAC Settlement

Microsoft agreed to pay $2,980,265.86 for illegal exports of services and software to sanctioned jurisdictions and Specially Designated Nationals (“SDNs”) in violation of OFAC’s Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Ukraine-/Russia-Related sanctions programs. Most of the violations involved prohibited Russian entities or persons located in the Crimea region of Ukraine. Microsoft failed to identify and prevent the use of its products by prohibited parties. Microsoft voluntarily disclosed...

United States Announces Sweeping New Sanctions Against Russia

Alex Cotoia, Regulatory Manager at The Volkov Law Group, rejoins us for another important post on new Russian sanctions. Alex can be reached at [email protected]. On February 24, 2023—the first anniversary of the Russian Federation’s Ukraine incursion—the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) announced a sweeping new set...

DOJ Flexes Enforcement Muscle to Target Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian Oligarch and Co-Conspirator Assisting in Evasion of Russia Sanctions

I am sticking with my 2023 prediction – DOJ is committed to aggressive enforcement of the Russia sanctions.  Most of its efforts to date have been directed against Russian Oligarchs and significant evaders who are moving products and facilitating financial transactions that directlty or indirectly further Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. On the one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the Ukraine, DOJ announced a...

DOJ Charges Russian and British Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch’s $90 Million Yacht

DOJ is poised for a big year in the enforcement of Russian Sanctions and seizure of assets connected to Russian Oligarchs.  It has been nearly a year since the U.S., its allies and partners have unleashed robust sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  DOJ’s commitment to sanctions enforcement has been steady and will only increase. In a recent case, DOJ announced...

Former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New York Counterintelligence Division Charged with Violating Russia Sanctions

In an ironic twist (or you just can’t make this up moment, whichever you prefer), the Justice Department announced the arrest of Charles McGonigal, the former Special Agent in Charge (“SAC”) of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division in New York, along with Sergey Shestakov, a former Russian diplomat, in a five-count indictment for violating Russian sanctions and money laundering laws.  The charges stem from services provided...

Person of the Year: The Trade Compliance Officer

I admit I may be a little late in completing some of my 2022 retrospective postings.  Nevertheless, I have to announce Corruption, Crime & Compliance’s Person of the Year Award.  Although my posting is not done with as much fanfare as Hollywood award shows or other major business announcements, it is always important o take time to reflect back on a year and focus gratitude...

DOJ Charges Two Companies and A Dozen Individuals for Export Control and Sanctions Violations to Aid Russian Military

The Justice Department promised aggressive enforcement of export controls and sanctions against Russia.  To that end, DOJ initiated the KleptoCapture task force to focus law enforcement investigations of export violators.  DOJ and the KleptoCapture task force have delivered.  The first significant case confirms the importance of tracking DOJ and law enforcement resources.  When an initiative is announced and includes assignment of personnel, you can rest...

DOJ Charges Russian Oligarch Oleg Deripaska and Three Associates for Sanctions Evasion and Obstruction of Justice

In a significant action, the Justice Department brought criminal charges against the notorious Russian Oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, for sanctions evasion and obstruction of justice.  DOJ also charged three associates, Natalya Bardakova, a Russian citizen, Olga Shriki, a New Jersey resident and United States citizen, and Ekaterina Voronina, Deripaska’s girlfriend.  Shriki is also charged with obstruction of justice for deleting various electronic records after she received...

Russian Sanctions Update: Five Months into the War in Ukraine

Jessica Sanderson, Partner at The Volkov Law Group, re-joins us for a posting on the current state of sanctions against Russia. Jessica can be reached at [email protected]. It’s been five months since Russia invaded the Ukraine, and the United States has imposed a succession of increasingly severe economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus. A recent study published by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Professor in the Practice...